Asking Doctor for Meds… how?

[Yellow-busy-bee]

I have a doctors appointment next Friday (yearly checkup), and I’ve never had a therapist but I want to start taking medication for anxiety and depression. Do doctors prescribe you medication the first visit? I hate doctors appointments and would really just like them to prescribe me meds ASAP. I want to start therapy but don’t know when with my busy schedule. For those who have experience, do you tell your doctor why you think you should take medication or do they need something from your therapist? Of course they can’t make you go see a therapist, so how is it done? Is it within the first visit? I hope it is. I’m nervous but I finally want to start taking medication.

[Agora1]

Hi Yellow busy bee :)It is quite alright to ask your doctor if there is something he can give

you to help with your anxiety. Your doctor will be in control of your

medication not your therapist. You've just taken a big step forward

with helping yourself get better by taking some meds.

It can help break that fear cycle you are stuck in and allow you to go

forward especially if you include therapy along with it.

I wish you well. Let us know what your doctor says re: meds xx

[Blueruth]

Be careful what you ask for. Yes they can but no, I don’t think they have a full picture and therefore they are half guessing based on what you tell them. Then there are doctors that will throw samples at you. Be careful. The whole point of those samples is to get you hooked. They are usually branded, expensive pills. Research any med they prescribe. I am on a med I can’t get off of because I didn’t. Please don’t do any med treatment without talk therapy. The goal should be to come off the med not use it as a permanent solution. I know I will get crap for that.

[Roxylox in reply to Blueruth]

I would be totally in agreement with you Blueruth

[Nothing_but_books]

A general doctor can and usually will give you psychoactive medication upon request. But their knowledge of those drugs is limited. A pharmacist is a good resource if you have specific questions. A psychiatrist is trained in evaluating which of the many drugs available may be most useful and least risky for you. But first, check the meds yourself. Ask questions of the doc and the pharmacist. Ask about side effects. It's a good idea to get the PIL and read it through.

[mathematics]

Could your doctor refer you for a psychiatric assessment to get a diagnosis. If you have a serious chemical imbalance then you will need the correct medication to help you. I know I am on drugs that can only be prescribed by a psychiatrist and not a GP. No amount of Talk therapy would have helped me as I had a serious chemical imbalance for which I will always have to take drugs for to keep me stable. It might be a good idea to have a referral to get a correct diagnosis and I am sure a psychiatrist could assess whether you need talk therapy or the correct drugs to help you. It is not the end of the world to go on drugs even if they have side effects as they can give you back some form of normality to your life if you are that ill. Take care and hope you get the correct diagnosis and assessment.